Pros and Cons of Becoming Yacht Crew
Working on yachts is not for everyone. It’s extremely taxing emotionally, physically, and mentally, but at the same time, a once in a lifetime experience. Before you jump ship and get started, let me share the most common pros and cons of becoming full time yacht crew.
The Pros:
1. Unique Travel Opportunities & Destinations
While working on yachts you’ll do more traveling in a single season than most people do in years. Not only are you traveling, but you’re visiting remote, untouched destinations that only boats can get to as well.
I compare it to an Alaskan cruise. I saw thousands of people “experience Alaska” last summer. Instead of viewing glaciers from the Carnival balcony we got to tender up and walk inside glaciers. As well as, anchor in remote coves with our own private waterfalls to kayak to, compared to the staged ports owned by the cruise ships.
Yachts (if you’re given the opportunity) sometimes give you a more authentic taste of places funny enough.
2. You Live Nearly Expense Free
Working on board full time you are provided every meal, snacks, drinks, over the counter medicines, uniforms to work in, toiletries and of course (very small) accommodations.
Typically, the only items not provided are alcohol, personal beauty items and gas if you’re using a crew car for personal reasons.
It’s probably the best way to save money and travel at the same time. Plus, add on charter tips and you might actually be able to afford a house in your 20’s.
3. You Can Use The Water Toys
When guests are off, crew (almost always) are allowed to use the water toys! It’s a win-win. Crew get to enjoy snorkels, jet skis, tenders, paddle boards, etc and the owner is ensured that the toys are being maintained.
4. You’re Always Learning
Whether it’s interior cleaning hacks, caulking tips or discovering new meanings of the word “now”, I am learning something new everyday.
It’s a very underrated part of life I think more people should appreciate. Just because you graduate high school or college doesn’t mean you’re done learning. Learning keeps people stimulated and as a result happier!
Almost everything you learn on yachts can be applied to other areas in life: cleaning hacks for cars, homes, how to fix sump pumps, what to do in an emergency. Kyle and I hope between the two of us our experience on board will prep us to renovate a van or potentially build our own house!
Not to mention all of the cultural knowledge you gain. Between traveling to exotic places and working with crew from all around the world, your perspective of the world grows abundantly while working in the industry.
The Cons:
1. No One Will Understand
LITERALLY, everyone will ask you, “Just like below deck right?!”. In short, yes, but also no. A lot of the times it’s easier to just leave it at that. I mean I guess in a lot of ways it is but also, a lot less relationships, expensive dinners for crew, use of the hot tub, free alcohol, charter tips, 3 day charters and off time.
What people typically don’t understand is that it becomes your life. Your life schedule is based on some rich person’s life schedule. Trust me it’s hard for crew to grasp sometimes too.
Or people think will just think that you work on a cruise ship. lol.
2. You’ll Miss Out On A Lot
Part of signing on as yacht crew is agreeing to sacrifice your personal schedule for the demands of season. It not practical to allow crew to take vacation for weddings, graduations and other important events during season. First, you never know where the boats going to be. Second, you don’t know if the boss will want to use. Third, it’s not always easy to find replacements for vacation time.
3. There Is Always Work To Be Done
On charter you can expect to work 12-16 hours if need be. Even off charter you might be working weekends and overtime if the boats needs to be delivered anywhere or flipped for the next guests.
It’s demanding and why a “longevity” in yachting is only 1 year on board the same vessel. After that crew typically need to take time off to reset from the demands of season.
4. Very Little Privacy
Crew are limited to recreational places on the boat. To name them all, its pretty much their cabins, the crew mess and maybe outside on deck if boss isn’t on.
With that, it’s very hard to find time to be alone! Finding places to go or ways to accommodate this are a must for mental and social well being.
Worth The While
Again, yachting is not for everyone. Even for me I don’t see myself staying in it longer than a few more years. Though for the time being, yachting has given me more than I could ever imagine and I recommend it to every wanderer out there willing to take a leap of faith.
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